In preparation of a nationwide strike of 45,000 dockworkers across 36 ports that began at 12:01 a.m. today, the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) said this past weekend it proactively worked with its customers and terminal operators by offering weekend gate operations to shippers and trucking companies in an effort to minimize supply chain disruptions. The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) confirmed that its members hit the picket lines as a result of a failed agreement with the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) on the master contract between the two organizations. The master contract covers all U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast ports, including at the Port of New Orleans. Approximately 700 port workers in New Orleans are expected to participate. Port NOLA and its container terminal operating partners prepared for a potential work stoppage of ILA-related activity on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Since this is a nationwide strike, Port NOLA is not involved in the contract negotiations or discussions. “The Port of New Orleans has always maintained a great working relationship with International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) members,” said Port NOLA in an e-mail to CityBusiness. “A new contract was finalized in June between our terminal operators (Ports America and New Orleans Terminal) with the local ILA unions. With that said, we are preparing for a potential work stoppage on Oct. 1 if the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) and ILA do not reach an agreement on their Master Contract, which governs all container operations on the East and Gulf Coasts (from Maine to Texas).” The ILA strike is estimated to impact 36 ports, which handle roughly half of the goods shipped into and out of the U.S. This stoppage threatens to impact the nation’s supply chain, pending its duration. In a strike that would be the first by the ILA since 1977, members are demanding higher wages and a total ban on the automation of cranes, gates and container-moving trucks used in the loading or unloading of freight, according to an article by the Associated Press. “The Ocean Carriers represented by USMX want to enjoy rich billion-dollar profits that they are making in 2024, while they offer ILA Longshore Workers an unacceptable wage package that we reject,” ILA said in a prepared statement. “ILA longshore workers deserve to be compensated for the important work they do keeping American commerce moving and growing.” Port NOLA is providing container terminal updates on its website: https://portnola.com/business/container-terminal-updates, and here at the latest updates from the container terminals: New Orleans Terminal (serving MSC, Maersk and ZIM) Vessel operations ceased at noon on Monday Sept. 30, 2024, in order to allow for a timely departure. The last rail operation were completed by 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30. It is stated that the ILA position on live reefers monitoring, and any emergency repairs will not be performed. No live export reefers will be received after 4 p.m. on Friday Sept. 27 and only for vessels departing by Monday Sept. 30, unless prior approval was obtained from the New Orleans Terminal. In an effort to assist all clients, the New Orleans Terminal opened the gate on Saturday Sept. 28 from 8 a.m. to Noon and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. On Monday Sept. 30, gate operations ended at normal time. In the event of a work stoppage, all operations will be ceased, including but not limited to gate, vessel and rail operations until the stoppage ends. Loads remaining on the terminal will not be available during this time. Ports America (serving CMA CGM, Hapag Lloyd, Seaboard, Evergreen, COSCO, OOCL, Yang Ming) Rail Operations: Complete Monday, Sept. 30, by 4 p.m. Gate Operations:(General Imports/Export) Cease Monday, Sept. 30, by 4 p.m. Import Reefer:Out gate by Monday, Sept. 30 at 4 p.m. Export Reefers: Customers to ensure that any export reefer received will be loaded on a vessel by Monday, Sept. 30 Extension of hours:Ports America will not operate a Saturday gate. Demurrage Policy: Ports America will pause demurrage and free time for all container activities (import, export, rail) in the event of a strike. Once the strike ends and terminal operations resumes, demurrage and free time will also resume and will be calculated based on each container’s status as of the date the strike began. For example, if a Container X was on free time day 2 and Container Y was on demurrage day 5 on the last day of operations before the strike, Container X will be on free time day 3 and Container Y will be on demurrage day 6 when the strike ends and terminal operations resume. This policy will be applicable to Ports America operations in New Orleans.